Chemistry
What is Chemistry?
Along with physics and biology, the field of chemistry is known as one of the three foundational sciences often called the ‘central science’ as it provides a link between other natural sciences. A chemistry degree is defined as the study of matter which includes its structure, composition, properties, along with understanding how and why substances interact with energy or other matter. The study of chemistry can help us explain natural and man-made chemical phenomena and the key to understanding the world around us.
Top Chemistry Degrees
Whether you are considering a chemistry degree online or in a classroom, it is important to understand the degree options available. Many accredited colleges and universities offer a wide range of degrees online for a number of reasons. The benefits of earning an online chemistry degree include cost savings, flexibility, access, pace, accreditation, and quality. Online programs closely mirror classroom-based degree programs and will often be extended to students as a hybrid program allowing for distance learning and lab time or classroom time to marry academic work with vital hands-on learning. Online chemistry degrees or on-site chemistry degrees can be found in a course catalog in three different forms:
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry
The online bachelor’s chemistry degree can be found in a school’s course catalog in a number of forms including as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.Chem). Bachelor programs are 4-year programs providing students with an array of general education courses such as communication, English, and philosophy along with core science classes. The core program for chemists will often include such classes as: introduction to chemistry, organic chemistry, introduction to physics, linear algebra, differential equations, statistics and probability, analytical chemistry, biomass conversion, materials chemistry, polymer chemistry, colloid science, organic synthesis, inorganic chemistry, drug design, computational chemistry, and a host of fascinating electives in the field of chemistry. Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree can launch a career in a variety of industries depending on area of specialization and market demands.
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Master’s Degree in Chemistry
The master’s degree program in chemistry is conferred as a Master of Science (MS) and is a two to three-year program after all lower-level academic requirements are met. The master’s chemistry degree track will combine classroom learning with labs, research, and hands-on projects to provide students with a number of learning modalities. Students in a MS program may study a variety of disciplines in chemistry or elect to specialize in sub-fields such as organic, inorganic, materials, analytical, computational, experimental, or polymer chemistry.
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Doctorate Degree in Chemistry
The doctorate degree in chemistry is conferred as a PhD in Chemistry or as a Doctor of Philosophy depending on the school and its curricular design. The PhD track in chemistry is a four to six year terminal chemistry degree program that includes a board approved dissertation designed to substantially contribute to your field of study as a chemist. Doctoral students will find themselves teaching at the college level, performing research for public or private companies, or entering the workforce in a variety of capacities in an organization.
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Chemistry Students Requirements
An education in chemistry prepares individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and utilize chemical processes in a variety of contexts, including experimentation, manufacturing and pharmacology. Students will study a variety of subdivisions in chemistry as well as some other sciences, in order to better understand and build upon the field of chemistry. Students will become familiar with timings, mixtures, temperature and other factors that may affect a chemical process and learn the methods by which to control them.
Students may pursue associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees as a chemist, with associate level educations limiting individuals to assistant positions in laboratory settings. A bachelor’s chemistry degree will allow for entry level positions as chemists, and graduate degrees will allow greater freedom to pursue work while specializing in one of the many areas of chemistry.
Courses in a chemistry curriculum may include:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Ethics
Featured: UW Bothell
UW Bothell and the University of Washington main campus in Seattle have been lauded for their chemistry program. The undergraduate and graduate degrees offered at UW Bothell are clearly tier one options for students serious about a career in the field. The reputation of the school, alumni support, and industry feedback have been overwhelming. Make sure to include UW on your short list of chemistry universities to visit prior to applying to college.
Top Specializations in Chemistry
There are five primary branches of chemistry that include biochemistry, organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical. Within each branch of chemistry, there are a number of subdisciplines which leads to unique jobs and careers for chemists. Below you will find a cross-section of various areas of specialty in chemistry to help you better understand the breadth and depth of the field of chemistry. Top specializations for chemists include:
Analytical-Chemistry: Classification of chemistry emphasizing the methods and instrumentation used to assess and identify matter.
Organic-Chemistry: The study of the physical and chemical properties, reactions, and structure of organic materials and organic compounds.
Inorganic-Chemistry: A division of chemistry concerned with the behavior and synthesis of organogold and inorganic materials.
Medicinal-Chemistry: The arena of medicinal chemistry is a sub-field of chemistry providing insight into the testing, design, and creation of drugs for treating various diseases.
Physical-Chemistry: Various atomic, subatomic, particulate, and macroscopic phenomena in chemical systems and physical concepts.
Biological-Chemistry: Also known as biochemistry, biological chemistry is a field analyzing chemical reactions relating to and within living systems.
Nanotechnology: The study of nanotechnology or nanotech is the study of matter on a molecular and atomic scale.
Polymer-Chemistry: Also known as macromolecular chemistry, polymer chemistry emphasizes the study of synthetic polymers, plastics, and elastomers.
Food-Chemistry: Food science or food chemistry works to understand the quality, safety, taste, and storage of food including the three components of food which are proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Nuclear-Chemistry: A division of chemistry focused on nuclear processes, radioactivity, and various nuclear processes.
Agricultural-Chemistry: Agrochemistry or agricultural chemistry works to understand and optimize the chemical reactions associated with the processes, protection, and production of farm animals and crops.
Electrochemistry: As a discipline of chemistry, electrochemistry analyzes the chemical reactions between an electrode and ionic conductor.
Phytochemistry: The branch of chemistry known as phytochemistry is the study of chemicals derived from plants known as phytochemicals.
Colloid Science: As a branch of chemistry, colloid science is the study of heterogenous particles between a solution and a state of suspension.
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Employment of Chemistry Students
Individuals interested in finding employment in the field as a chemist will find that work opportunities will be minimal and competitive, due to a restructuring of research projects in the pharmaceutical industry. As such projects begin to partner with research universities and institutions, the demand for professional chemists is expected to decrease, though some jobs will be available through retirement, managerial positions, and government employment. Students may seek employment in a variety of locations, though most positions will be through research institutions, private manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, government facilities and test laboratories.
Chemists who pursue graduate level degrees or higher will have more employment opportunities, particularly if their area of specialization is in demand. Specialization allows scientists to focus on a particular area of interest, and to obtain a greater understanding of the processes belonging to that sub-field.
Popular Careers in Chemistry
The average wage for a chemist is nearly $69,000 per year, though individuals with graduate or doctoral educations, or those who have experience in the industry will earn more than others. Chemists may work in potentially dangerous environments, and those that do may also receive salaries in the higher end of the spectrum due to risk.
Given sheer number of areas of specializations, it should come as no surprise the myriad career options available to trained, motivated chemists. After earning a chemistry degree from an accredited college or university, students can find an array of primary duties chemical industry. In fact, a chemist can find themselves working for a cosmetics conglomerate working to make a newer, safer eye liner or working with specialized physicians in a hospital setting to understand and improve the effects of radiation treatments for cancer patients. The career options and number of industries that benefit from specialized chemists are seemingly boundless. The top careers for chemists include the following fields of study:
| Agronomy | Public Policy |
| Forensic Science | Petroleum and Natural Gas |
| Materials Science | Military Systems |
| Textiles | Healthcare |
| Chemical Engineering | Technical Writing |
| Medicine | Environmental Law |
| Surface Chemistry | Agrochemistry |
| Environmental Chemistry | Oceanography |
| Crop Science | Pharmaceutical Sales |
| Polymers and Plastics | Geochemistry |
| Cosmetics / Perfume Industry | Biochemistry |
| Metallurgy | Chemist |
| Research and Development | Government Policy |
| Biotechnology | Chemical Technology |
| Software Design | Ethnobotany |
| Consulting |
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How Much Do Chemistry Majors Get Paid?
The amount of compensation you can expect as a chemist will depend on a variety of factors that include your experience, degree type, organization type, geography, hours worked, area of specialization, demand, contributions, and options work experience in the field. As a means to provide you with an overview of the industry, the list below represents a scientist national average salary across a wide swath of careers associated with chemistry as reported by the BLS:
- Chemical Technicians: $45,840
- Food Science Technicians: $37,550
- Nuclear Technicians: $79,140
- Clinical Lab Techs: $50,930
- Biological Technicians: $42,520
- Chemical Engineers: $98,340
- Material Scientists and Chemists: $75,420
- Environmental Scientists: $44,190
- Forensic Science Technicians: $56,750
Resources for Chemistry Students
Chemists interested in industry insights in chemistry may also be interested degrees in physics, biology and environmental science. Additional resources such as the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the International Council of Chemical Association (ICCA) may be sources of information and professional growth in the field. Networking and continuing education opportunities also may be found with top-tier associations to help advance your career in the field.